People looking to protect themselves against costly home repairs may consider obtaining home insurance or a home warranty. While these two terms sound interchangeable, they are actually two distinct types of protection homeowners can purchase. Home insurance protects homeowners from paying for costly repairs caused by accidental damages. Home warranties protect homeowners from the costs of replacing systems and appliances that wear out over time.
What is home insurance?
Home insurance is an insurance policy that homeowners take out to cover accidental damage done to their house or belongings. Nearly all mortgage lenders require homeowners to obtain the appropriate home insurance on their home. Home insurance generally covers four areas: interior or exterior home damage, loss or damage of personal property, liability for damages caused by the family and their pets and temporary housing while a home is being rebuilt or repaired. These areas are only covered if the damages were the result of a cause the insurance policy covers. Home insurance policies generally cover damages caused by fires, theft and storm damage, as well as floods or earthquakes at an additional cost.
Home insurance rates vary widely based on the amount of coverage homeowners select and where they live. According to the 2013 National Association of Insurance Commissioners Annual Homeowners Insurance Report, the average yearly cost for insurance premiums in 2011 (the latest year for which data is available) rose to $978. When people file a home insurance claim, they usually have to pay a deductible before their insurance coverage kicks in.
What is a home warranty?
Home warranties protect homeowners from paying retail cost for repairs and replacements when their appliances or home systems wear out over time, as well as provide access to a network of professional service contractors. Home warranties are not required by mortgage lenders, so many people chose not to purchase them. Home warranties may be offered as a gift by homebuilders, real estate agents or home sellers. Of course, home warranties may also be purchased independent of a real estate transaction. Annual home warranty premiums and service fees can vary by location and provider. Rest assured, they can save you money when it comes time to replace or repair any covered items.
Home warranties typically cover four areas: major appliances, heating and cooling systems, plumbing and electrical systems. Home warranties generally do not cover hauling fees, appliance attachments that can be replaced easily or appliances with pre-existing problems. Home warranty costs do not increase yearly as a result of claims, as home insurance premiums can, though costs for both will typically vary each year due to inflation and rising service expenses.
Because home insurance and home warranties cover two completely different sets of home repairs and replacements, homeowners may want to purchase both. Alternately, homeowners may want to purchase home insurance, which is required by lenders, and set money aside for unexpected home repairs instead of purchasing a home warranty. However, a major advantage of having a home warranty is the convenience and time saved from not having to search for and screen contractors when things go awry. After reporting your problem, your home warranty company will quickly dispatch a qualified service technician to come to your rescue. No time wasted searching online for listings or reviews. Homeowners should research their options, weigh their needs and see what is best for their particular situation and budget.
For more information on home warranties, visit American Home Shield today.
Post Author: andyc.
